The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus we should be alarmed as it is a fast growing problem of infecting individuals in Baguio City and Benguet.
As of October last year, there were 7,756 new cases of HIV listed for 2016 which raised the figures to 38,114 total number of cases since 1984. According to Antoinette Evangelista, project officer at the DOH’s National AIDS/STI Prevention and Control Program, the trend is increasing. She said that since the first HIV case listed in 1984, the progression of the HIV epidemic was low and slow until 2008. She further stated that in 2008, there was only one case per day. In 2010, there were four cases, nine cases in 2012 and 17 in 2014. For 2016, there were 26 HIV cases daily. This is alarming especially for the National Youth Commission because HIV is now termed as the “Youth Epidemic” of our country. According to NYC commissioner Percival Cendaña, 62 percent of the new HIV cases in the country for the year 2016 was among young people between 15 and 24 years old and it said to be increasing in a ‘fast and furious’ rate.
According to the PIA report of Dexter A. See, our region had the infected youth belonging to the 15-24 age group ranked second with 63 cases following the age group 25-34 with 108 cases As of April, 2016 for. Because of this, late last year, the health team of Baguio City and La Trinidad had stationed at different sites, including bars and usual hangout places, to counsel people and to test potentially infected individuals. This is a move for early diagnosis and at the same time to increase awareness on the dreaded infection and disseminate ways on how to avoid it.
The Department Of Health-Philippine Advisory describes HIV is a virus that weakens the immune system, the system responsible for fighting infections and diseases.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), on the other hand, is the final stage of the infection and this causes the body to be unable to fight off life-threatening infections. Symptoms are similar to flu which is experienced by most infected individuals 2 to 6 weeks after acquiring HIV. This includes fever, sore throat, rashes, tiredness, joint and/or body pains and swollen glands. These symptoms are a sign that the body is trying to fight off the virus. After 1 to 2 weeks, the individual can become asymptomatic up to 10 years which means the person feels normal and healthy. During this time, however, the virus continues to damage the person’s immune system. When the immune system is totally damaged, the person will show new symptoms of the infection. These include weight loss, chronic diarrhea, night sweats, skin problems, recurrent infections, and life-threatening illnesses.
Furthermore, HIV is transmitted by bodily fluids namely semen, vaginal and anal fluids, blood and breast milk. It can also be transmitted, not by saliva, but through deep kissing if both parties have open wounds or sores in the mouth which can be the exit and entry portal of the virus. It cannot, however, be transmitted through sweat and urine. The virus can also be transmitted from a mother to a baby during pregnancy. The number one cause of the spread of the virus is the unprotected anal or vaginal sex especially here in the Philippines.
Last July 4, 2016, Sen. Risa Hontiveros filed Senate Bill 376 also known as the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Bill, to strengthen the country’s response to the spreading epidemic. This bill includes the testing of young people aged 15 to 17 without parental consent. HIV, though it cannot be cured, can be managed and treated with early diagnosis. The senator added, “It’s a test that can spell life or death”. But while the NYC agrees to make the test accessible to minors even without parental consent, they still think that their family and friends should be there to support the individual once tested positive.
It should be prudent that one would you can visit the nearest health station, get more information and be counseled. If deemed necessary, subject tests for early detection and prevention.
By: Mae Fatima Cosalan